GUERRERO, FRANCISCO

born , May, 1527, Seville, Spain died Nov. 8, 1599, Seville one of the leading Spanish composers of the 16th century. Guerrero was a choirboy in Seville and at the age of 18 became chapelmaster at Jan Cathedral in Andalusia. In 1548 he was appointed cantor at Seville Cathedral, assuming effective musical directorship in 1551 and becoming chapelmaster in 1574. Except for a trip to Rome and one to Jerusalem, he spent most of his working life in Seville. Guerrero's music is considered eminently vocal, strongly Spanish in character, and evocative of a vivid and serene spirituality. His compositions include 18 masses, two requiems, settings of the Passions of St. Matthew and St. John, Latin motets, and sacred songs in Spanish.